"The future can be found in many places. It can be seen reflected in the eyes of those who are privileged to look at it."

The narrative is from a (now) public domain film of the same name made in 1950, about the development of microwave radio transmission and the transistor. What is lovely about viewing this now is the timelessness of the message contained within; the will to find newer, faster ways to communicate.
"In my view of the future the novelty will wear off. The instrument will grow light, convenient, and familiar to every hand."

With promises of faster connectivity resulting in better productivity and ultimate happiness, aspirations haven't changed that much - just the method by which people try and achieve this goal.
"In the laboratories the men who develop new equipment and the men who have to build it are always at work. Not only improving what has been developed, but creating new things as well."

In amongst change there are always the very basic fundamental things that make up what it is to be human, the hope to be less isolated and to feel and do more. However, the more we surround ourselves with objects that plug us in, the more we can become disconnected. The tower looms further into the sky but the foundation needs to remain still and intact.
There isn't a single message within this film, it is a collage and so by it's nature can be entered into on many levels. However, to make this film today, 55 years later, the story hopefully remains relevant and positive.

This film was made with footage from Prelinger Archives (http://www.prelinger.com), Skip Elsheimer (http://www.avgeeks.com), and The Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org). Thanks to them for making their databases available and freeing up these wonderful resources which in many cases would have been locked away and left to rot. Only by reflection upon the past can we change the present into a better future... that's just what the film said 55 years ago too.
This and also the first version of Story Without End can be downloaded at The Internet Archive - www.archive.org.

Thanks to Rick Prelinger, Skip Elsheimer, Dr. Irene Moon (http://www.begoniasociety.org) and Robert Beatty (for the cockroach footage).

Commissioned by Sonic Arts Network (http://www.sonicartsnetwork.org), many thanks!

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